State of Technology 2015 Industry Report & Tech Directory.

Technology is pervasive. Every company, organization, and institution (and consumer!) is tech-enabled; NCTA's member Directory reflects this breadth of impact.

You will also notice that in addition to many familiar brand names, about 75% of our member organizations are small (employing fewer than 50 NC employees). Together, our 750+ members employ well over 150,000 North Carolinians.

This year we also launch a North Carolina State of Technology Industry Report. You'll find a brief summary of key findings in this printed Directory, with the full report available online at NCSTIR.com.

NCTA is in its strongest position ever. Continued growth, a higher public profile, and a dynamic team of professional staff and volunteer leadership all combine to make NCTA the recognized voice of technology in North Carolina.

If your organization is not yet an NCTA member, take that step and begin immediately benefitting from the events, communities and resources we make available. (Once a member joins, all of their employees have membership privileges.)

Throughout the year, we encourage you to engage with the companies, organizations and institutions listed in this Directory--as a customer, partner, or in whatever way you might benefit.

Visit nctechnology.org to learn more.

Sincerely,

Brooks Raiford

President + CEO

About the Report

Early in 2014, the North Carolina Technology Association (NCTA) embarked on the compilation of a State of Technology Industry Report, to be released in early 2015 and annually thereafter. The full report is housed online at www.NCSTIR.com, and this Key Findings summary features some of the highlights arising from the research. The valuable information in the report will have a variety of uses:

More information about the North Carolina Technology Association and the State of Technology Industry Report can be found at www.nctechnology.org

About the Researcher

Ted Abernathy is the managing partner at Economic Leadership LLC, an information curation consultancy firm that provides leadership to various organizations including local and state governments, chambers of commerce and private organizations. Prior to starting Economic Leadership, Ted had 29 years of experience as an economic development director for city, county and regional economic development programs. More information at www.econleadership.com.

The technology sector in North Carolina has an employment multiplier of 3.09, meaning that for every 1 job in the technology industry another 2.09 jobs are supported throughout the state economy across all industries. $83 billion in sales in the technology industry supports $136 billion in sales across the North Carolina economy, accounting for almost 16% of North Carolina's sales revenue. The technology industry contributes over 17% to the overall state employment.

Public Research Funding

Research at universities is the foundation for technology transfer and innovation. North Carolina ranks #1 in the nation in public research funding per 1,000 students.

Tech Employment Growth

The most encouraging metric of North Carolina's technology industry is its recent growth and growth potential. In the past five years, NC has the 6th highest tech employment growth rate in the country.

Looking ahead, North Carolina is estimated to grow its technology employment by 14.2% from now until 2020.

Small Business Openings

Tech startups are a big part of small business activity. North Carolina ranks 3rd in net growth of small businesses (openings exceeding closings).

Top Tier

Areas where NC ranks among Top 15 states

* Technology Sector Employment Growth

* Average Annual Wage for Technology Sector Employees with Purchasing Power

* Expected Technology Sector Employment Growth

* Percentage of Women in the Technology Workforce

* Patents Issued

* Growth in High-Tech Establishments

* Technology Licenses and Options Executed from Universities

* Start-Ups from Universities

* Small Business Openings vs. Closings

* Average Undergraduate Charge at Public 4-year Institutions

* State Funding for Public Research Universities Per 1,000 FTE Student

* From 2003-2010 the state has seen growth at a rate of almost 21%, well above the national average and several of the traditional technology states. On this indicator, North Carolina ranks 9th across the country, indicating that the state is beginning to realize its growth potential in this industry.

Tech Industry Overview

In 2013 the tech industry employed over 220,000 people and was worth $83 billion in sales revenue in the state of North Carolina. The technology industry accounted directly for 5.6% of the total jobs in the state but almost 10% of the state's total wage earnings and sales. In 2013, there were over 16,000 technology establishments operating in North Carolina.

The sector is growing at a fast pace with an employment growth rate of 7.1% from 2008-2013.

The future also looks strong for the industry as models predict a higher growth rate in NC than the nation through the next 10 years.

$105,000 Average earnings per worker in the technology industry

16% of all North Carolina sales revenues are generated by the technology industry

6 North Carolina ranks sixth in Tech Employment Growth

Women in IT

North Carolina ranks as the #1 state in percentage of its tech workforce made up of women (36.5%).

Invention & Tech Transfer

One sign of innovation strength is high numbers of patents. North Carolina is in the top quartile of states in the number of patents awarded in the past five years.

In 2012, North Carolina ranked 6th among the states in options and licenses executed by universities, and ranked 8th in number of start-ups spun off from universities.

Tech Occupations

There are 254,000 workers in tech occupations in NC. This is higher than the 220,000 workers employed by the tech industry. This means there is a significant portion of tech occupations outside the traditional tech companies in the state

1 North Carolina ranks first in funding for public research universities

16% of all North Carolina sales revenues are generated by the technology industry

6 North Carolina ranks sixth in Tech Employment Growth

Women in IT

North Carolina ranks as the #1 state in percentage of its tech workforce made up of women (36.5%).

Invention & Tech Transfer

One sign of innovation strength is high numbers of patents. North Carolina is in the top quartile of states in the number of patents awarded in the past five years.

In 2012, North Carolina ranked 6th among the states in options and licenses executed by universities, and ranked 8th in number of start-ups spun off from universities.

Tech Occupations

There are 254,000 workers in tech occupations in NC. This is higher than the 220,000 workers employed by the tech industry. This means there is a significant portion of tech occupations outside the traditional tech companies in the state.

North Carolina Technology Association

2015 DIRECTORY

TECHNOLOGY MEMBERS

Companies whose predominant business is the development and/or sale of technology products or services